CHAPTER 4- ANNUAL FEST~ Ayesha💕

A Y E S H A :-

One Month Later

"Ayesha Humza Abbas bint Humza abbas aapka nikkah Farhan Junaid siddque wald Junaid ali siddque haq meher 5000 lira sikka rijulhaq ke sath tay paya hai, Kya aapne ye nikkah qubool kiya?"

[Ayesha Humza Abbas, daughter of Humza Abbas, you are to be wedded to Farhan Junaid Siddque, son of Junaid Ali Siddque, with Obligation of 5000 Liras, Do you accept this marriage?]

I felt my breath hitch, and my whole body froze, dull pulsing sound of my erratic heartbeat ringing in my ears, making everything momentarily vanish around me.

Is this really happening? Am I really going to sign my life out by a simple two words, those two words and my past would mean nothing, two words and every gash on my heart left behind, two words till I step in my new life with a person so unknown yet so familiar. Two words until there is a surge of bond in me of this nikkah.

Two words to my destiny.

I closed my eyes, and felt a tear roll down my eye and I fisted my red duppata which was drawn over me, effectively hiding my emotions to everyone to see, and forced out those two words and walk on the footprints laid by my destiny.

"Qubool Hai!"

[ I do.]

Flashback:

One month ago:-

"Girl, are you even there?" I was snapped out from my thoughts by safa's waving hand.

"Yes, I know the sandwich is great," I said taking a bite of my sandwich. It's taste is a different. Cheese I guess.

They all looked at me as I was eating mud instead of my sandwich.

"What?" I asked defensively.

"Ayesha is something bothering you?" Sakina raised an eyebrow.

"No, why ask?" I say casually checking out the crowd on the college courtyard which were buzzing in the fest vibe.

"Because  no one eats a sandwich with its wrapper on, Sherlock." Safa replied in a duh tone then I realised I have eaten the sandwich tissue wrapped around it, which explains the weird taste in my mouth.

"Ayesha you know you can share anything with us right?" Sania asked in her kind voice.

"Yeah, Of course." I agree removing the bits of tissue from my tongue.

After not getting a response I lifted my gaze to the ladies sitting infront of me across the table, and I was met by a look which clearly stated,

Then- start- spilling- genius.

I knew that look very well, I invented it of course, but now it is being used against me.

Sighing I placed my sandwich on the tray and placed my elbows on the table, ready to vent.

"All right! I have already said you guys about the allaince? Which I heard my parents talking about?" I said scratching my eyebrow with my thumb.

"The Danish one?" Safa said I felt a unknown tug in my heart, the fact they all assumed it was danish shows how much I talk about him.

Shaking my head I cleared my throat "Yeah actually no- I mean yes, there was an alliance but not of danish." I tried to say casually.

"WHAT?" Safa and sakina screamed not caring about the weird glances they recieved from the opposite table and by goers of fest guests, Sania had a confused look on her face.

"Calm down girls, It was of... of..Farhan's." this name sounding foreign to my tongue.

Seeing their confused faces I explained, "My phupho, Aunt ayeeza's Son." I played with the ends of my hijab awkwardly.

"Aunt ayeza the elder sister of your dad? The one sister you told your dad adores and respects very much?"Sania confirmed,

"Yes that aunt ayeza,"

"The one you were named after, Ayeeza...Ayesha, am I right?" Sakina asked.

"The one and only." I confirmed.

"And who's this Farhan? Have you ever met him, How is he? good looking and has a nice personality, if he does then you go girl." Safa says excitedly clapping her hands.

"For the love of god safa! She is sad here and you are joking around, I mean we could joke around but just not right now? Okay?" Sakina explains safa.

Sania turned towards me, "Listen Ayesha, Don't take tension okay, it's alright. You can reject it if you want, we all are with you, and I am sure your parents would understand." Sakina nodded in agreement.

"I know and I already decided to reject it, because first I haven't seen him really after years, and second from what I remember he was an A class jerk." I say rolling my neck which cramped up because I slept on the couch last evening.

"Oh okay that's great honey, then why are you worried?" Sania asks confused, her honey brown eyes glistening from the evening sun.

"My thoughts exactly." Safa agrees

"Mine too." Sakina adds.

"I don't know- it was the first time any alliance came for me and my parents talked about which meant they considered about it, and I....I just don't have a good feeling about it."  I sigh, the unease in my chest weighed in my words accurately.

"Oh it's all right. It's called overthinking babe, which you do every-time." Sakina says plopping a fry in her mouth.

"Yes don't worry. Even I get anxiety about thinking of marrying my crush. It's normal hun." Safa says waving her hand.

"Well, relax now. We are in fest now, not a kitty party so let's enjoy, it's our last year, and let's not stress okay?"

Sania patted my hand and motioned us to get up from the table of the makeshift food court of the fest, where we all were seated for the past one hour, or more I don't know.

"I heard there is a mini gaming arcade over there." Safa exclaims happily.

"Let's go baby!" Sakina howls and both run towards the arcade.

Me and Sania look at each other and let out a laugh, "Sometimes I get the feeling that we both are parents of two mischievous kids."

"Ah yes total hyper kids." I say eyeing Sakina and safa breaking the line to the shooting game, and not caring about other's glares and angry 'hey's'.

"Well hello there ladies." A joyous voice sounded behind us, and Imran came jogging along with Affan.

"Well hello there Mr. negotiator." I chuckle greeting him.

"Hey, Imran, Hi...Affan." Sania greeted, and I didn't failed to notice the extra shy glances from both of them.

"So how are you liking the fest?" Imran asks tipping his glasses above his eyebrows.

"Why did you arranged it?" I sassed.

Sania and Affan laughed while Imran's smile dropped and he tipped his glasses back down his nose, okay now I feel bad.

"Sorry, yeah it's good." I apologise.

"I heard there is a nice Coffee stall over there wanna head over there?" Affan offers.

I eyed Sakina and safa who were excitedly busy shooting balloons, and say, "Yeah okay they are going to take a while here I know."

"I will text them both, let's go." Sania says, and did I notice eagerness in her tone? Nah I don't think so.

"Fine let's go, ladies first." Imran bowed dramatically, and we all headed towards the coffee stall.

After having a nice cup of coffee I felt better and started enjoying the fest vibe, after coffee we all witnessed an intense Final between our college basketball team and other college's team, in which we won and now they are headed towards the national basketball tournament, throughout the match Imran kept repeating and made sure everyone heard how he missed being in team, as if he was a part of it, he never got selected because of his height but we are not ready for that conversation.

Somewhere between the match I noticed Sania was not beside me and didn't came back from her phone call which she had to attend urgently, Affan also left the match in between, because he noticed an old friend and went to meet him.

"So it's just us, you know." Imran tried to place his arm on my shoulder but I smacked his arm away from my purse.

"Shut up." I laughed watching him wincing in pain. "Let's find Sania she's gone for a while now."

I tried calling her but she didn't answered, maybe because of the crowd noise, Imran directed us to an empty space, near the business building where I could breathe freely again away from the crowd. Messaging Sania and Sakina about the free spot I sat down on the stairs and relaxed a bit.

"Where is Affan by the way, who was that important friend he met huh?" I asked Imran.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Don't know, I didn't knew he had friends beside me." He said leaning on the railing opposite to me.

"Way to be self obsessed." I chuckle.

He removed his sunglasses, "No my dear friend, it's called self-" He started coughing suddenly and I got up to my feet, surprised and concerned about him.

"What's wrong imran? Do you need water? Here I have it." I took out my bottle from my bag pack and offered him to which he denied violently and kept coughing holding his gaze to something above my head.

"What- water? No you don't need it? What do you Imran!" I asked frustration seizing me. He just kept waving his hand in the air, signalling god knows what.

I turned back to look at what he's seeing and when I did, the bottle dropped from my hand and rolled down the stairs.

Affan and Sania standing behind a stall, with a cotton candy in Affan's one hand and the other hand was in Sania's hand holding it tightly, Affan told sania something to which she laughed shyly covering her right hand on her mouth, and something glinted along the sun rays on her finger.

Son a biscuit, what the hell is happening here?

Listening to still coughing Imran, I turned back and patted his shoulder with force so that he stop, he bend down holding his knees and I picked up my bottle and offered him, which he drank greedily and then gave it back to me breathing heavily.

"What-" his voice dropped from shock,

"What was that? How did that happen? Is it even happening?" He panted, I looked behind my shoulder to the happy couple and turned towards him.

"I have no idea." I said slowly.

"Hello lovely people, how's it going?" Safa came skipping towards us happily and Sakina walking behind her with a cup of hot chocolate secured in her hands.

"Look I am going to show you both something, but promise not to panic. Okay?" I started cautiously.

Safa looked at me confused,

"Is it drama? Is someone getting proposed?" She clapped excitedly.

"If it's worth the tea, then count me in. And what's wrong with you Olaf?" Sakina say eyeing a still shocked imran, who was seated down the stairs.

"He- he's just having a moment. Nothing serious, anyway um on the count of three you both are going to look a scene behind me."

Before I could even say okay or one, I was pushed aside and they both saw that, and stood frozen for a while. It was Safa's scream which was heard first along with Sakina one second later.

Many people turned to look at the scream, even Affan and Sania did, the cotton candy dropping from his hand, Sakina and Safa made a run towards them and I picked up my bag and shook Imran before running after them.

"Guys stop."

"Sania oh my god."

"When did this happen?"

"Are you guys married now? Affan you didn't told me."

"Does anyone have marshmallows?" Everyone paused and looked at Sakina.

"It tastes good with hot chocolate, but anyway you both. How?"

"No we don't. But we certainly have one question. So would you both please?" I requested.

"Oh my god, I am recording this." Safa says tapping on her phone.

Affan was dragged away by a dramatic imran who started questioning him and Sania eyes us chucking nervously.

"Um, he and I- um Safa stop recording."

"No I won't. Now spill." Safa brought her phone near Sania's phone.

"Okay, um I would not beat around the bush, um we are now kinda engaged."

"Kinda? Not Fulla? Elaborate please, think it as a ten marks important question." Sakina exclaims sipping her hot chocolate.

"He asked my dad my hand in marriage, last Sunday." Sania says covering her face with her hands shyly as we all let out an exciting 'Ohhh'.

"Congratulations, my love I am so happy for you." I gave her a tight hug swaying her happily.

"I was scared." She admitted laughing.

"Why what are we? Did you thought we would grab your hand like that old man with major anger issues did to the main lead, in your favourite movie?" Sakina asks.

"It was DDLJ and yes Sania answer that, the nation wants to know." Safa zooms her phone to Sania's face more further.

"It's All right, she might've been scared, but now we know, so chill anyways." I say.

"Yeah you are right. But Sania you know that we won't judge you right? So don't be scared,Hun. Congratulations." Sakina squeals hugging Sania.

"Yes we won't, we just want gossip." Safa chuckles switching to the front camera as she turns to sania, "Oh, congratulations by the way." She gives sania a kiss on cheek.

"Now this calls for a celebration. What say?" I asked clapping excitedly.

"Wohoo baby, more food, the day has been made." Sakina howls again.

Imran and Affan and join us and we all make our way to the food stalls again and tease them while both of them while they just walk shyly. Aw so made for each other.

"By the wayy, I just remember something, Imran why were you so shocked seeing them, didn't you knew about it?" I ask pausing to look at Imran.

"I got know just know with you all, earlier I thought this punt just wanted to be looked smart and cool for Sania, But I didn't knew he planned his wedding Already?! Like how didn't I noticed it?" Imran swipes his hand on his forehead lost in thoughts, while Affan just laughed elbowing him on his stomach.

"Well you don't notice common sense also." Sakina muttered.

"Huh?" Imran asked snapping from his thoughts.

"I said, Aw, you both made me nearly believe in love, which is a great deal." Sakina smiles sweetly.

"Now that it is settled, congratulations to the bride-side." Imran foregoing his thoughts on noticing his friend's behaviour and bring his hand forward.

"Thank you and congratulations to the groom-side too." I say swinging an arm around Sakina's shoulders who placed her empty hot chocolate paper cup on Imran's hand and we all giggled at his gaping expressions.

We stopped giggling as we noticed Safa's absence beside us.

"Safa darling anything wrong?" Imran asks out.

Safa looks at us from her phone a shocked look on her face as she looked at us in horror, "I never pressed the record button."

*_*_*_*_*_*

"Food is eternal love. Period." Sakina sighs resting her head on the table, as Affan and imran helps clear the plates and garbage and throw them at the bin.

"Amen." I agree, looking around the crowd, thank god Affan somehow managed to arrange a table far from the crowd and loud music, which was a major relief.

"Hey, have you guys seen the news? Of some goons ransacking a hotel in sarköy? Sheesh the world is never at peace." Sakins ask failing her hands.

"Yeah, there were about two deaths, and no casualties. I am really concerned about the depletion of humanity." Sania hums sadly.

"People have no peace really, like come on live and let live." I shook my head.

"I never recorded. How am I going to remember now? Why is my life like this." Safa sighs sadly sipping her lemonade.

"What's wrong with my baby sister?" All of our heads turned towards the direction of the new voice which came behind my and Sakina's head.

"Kardes." [My Brother.] Safa springs from her chair happily and give her brother Dorok a hug.

"This is the best surprise ever. When did you came back from Agva?" Safa asks jumping excitedly.

Dorok places his hands on his sister's shoulders to calm her, "I came back this morning, couldn't miss the opportunity of seeing that smile on your face." He says tapping her chin.

Me and sania looked at each other and shared an 'Aw' expression.

"Hello Sania. How's studying being kind going?" Dorok greets as safa brings him to our table dragging an extra chair from the nearby table.

"Hi Dorok. It's going great and it's called nursing by the way." Sania smiles sweetly making me chuckle.

Dorok's neck snap to me, and he gives me a two finger salute.

"Hello Ayesha. My favourite Drug dealer."

"Please you make it sound so bad." I waved my hand, his attention was grabbed by the ginger sitting beside me, who's lemonade looked more interesting thing in the world to her.

Dorok rounded the table and stood beside Sakina, who still looked at him, he bends down placing his elbows on the table and removes his sunglasses, revealing his clear blue eyes, I could clearly see Sakina struggling not to let her gaze up.

"And how are you doing madame?" He teases.

"Was wonderful." She gives him a tight lipped smile

"Was?"

"Yes was, before your arrival." I laughed at her comment. And dorok just feign an hurt look.

"Damn, and here I thought my arrival brightened up your world."

"No my world just got a short circuit, and you are clearly not seen." Sakina says still looking down at her lemonade.

"I am right here, look up to me, are you afraid you will drown in my eyes?" Dorok winks.

I could clearly see Sakina shutting her eyes in frustration, Sakina's number one weakness, Boys with blue eyes. Dorok is an exception, maybe.

Smiling sweetly she matched his eye contact and dorok turned towards her completely his eyes scanning her face,

"I don't waste time looking at the sea blue-" Sakina stopped saying and just looked at Dorok, his eyes having a faraway look, oh having a moment I see.

I looked away from them, controlling an exciting squeal and saw Safa covering her face from both of them by hiding behind Sania's back, still sipping her lemonade, Sania had her fist to her mouth, so that she suppress her smile.

Feels like I am reading an enemies to lovers book.

"Dorok my boy." Imran called outmaking all of us curse silently and Sakina and Dorok snapped from their moment.

Smiling tightly Dorok greeted Imran and Affan.

"As much as I want to gag, It was a nice moment." Safa whispers inching close to me and sania.

"Yes exactly just how described in books, so romantic." Sania sighs dreamily.

"Yes, totally enemies to lovers telling ya." I whispered.

"Yes so we were saying." Dorok say taking a seat beside Sakina.

"I was saying-" Sakina cleared her throat, "Yeah I was saying, um I don't want to waste time seeing your eyes, because they remind of the pond near my house which is disgustingly polluted, and polluted nature is equal to global warming and global warming is not good and no one likes it so I don't like you. Period. Nothing is going to change that, Dorok Arsèl."

"That was a speech." Safa whispers in our trio.

Dorok let out a whistle, "Damn you think of me that much. I am flattened."

"Well someone has to think about excruciating global warming."

"Okay. You both, enough." Affan stops them, like a sweetheart he is.

"Oh by the way Affan and Sania are engaged." I informed.

Dorok look at both of them with a big grin, "You both! congratulations. So happy for you guys." He smiles and then turns to Sakina,

"When are we going to say this?"

Sakina scrunches her nose, "Never."

"How did you got the ticket anyway?" Imran asks.

"If you remember I have been this college's student, a star student may I add, so many of my fans offered me, mostly girls, ya know." He gives a boyish grin.

Only Imran laughs with him, we girls give him an obnoxious eye roll.

"Murat told he was coming too?" Dorok asks after awkward silence.

"Someone called my name?" My brother's voice reached before I felt a harsh pinch on my cheek.

"Agh! Murat." I rubbed my sore cheek as he greeted everyone, Safa sat up straight and waved at murat, he gave her a smile and was about to say something but one glance at Dorok and he silently sat beside me.

"How are you Murat? You look great today." Safa comments, and Sania discreetly pinches her arm.

"Yeah yes you do." Sania chuckles awkwardly.

"Why thank you Safa." Murat chuckles shyly and Dorok glares at him, "And Sania." He clears his throat.

"The fest looks great this year." Murat comments looking around.

"It is." Dorok says and safa just stares dreamily at my brother, I don't know how to feel about it. I look at Sania and she just shrugs helplessly.

"Listen Ayesha I am not here for a long time, I have to collect my intention ship report so Ba-" Murat was saying something but cut off as his phone started ringing.

"I am sorry I have to receive this, It's about my internship report." He gets up from his seat.

"It's all right, take your time. I am waiting," Safa shook her head, "I- I mean everyone is waiting." She laughs nervously tapping the table with her fingers.

I stood up to throw my empty foam cup and Safa and Sakina handed me there's too, after throwing them at the bin which faced the parking lot our table clearly visible from here and not to far, I didn't realise Imran following me.

"Whats up Imran?" I ask.

"Um you remember I asked a favour from you?" He scratches the back of his neck. He looked.....nervous?

"Yes, Of course want you want? Food? Notes? What?" I asked.

"No nothing like that." He rushes out.

"Okay what then? Tell clearly my friend."  I chuckle.

"Um okay, so there's this girl which I like-"

"Ohh now is she huh?" I tease.

His cheeks and neck turned pink as he scoffs, "Yes she is, Her name is Haya," he smile looking down.

"Aww Haya huh? Imran weds haya suits for the invitation." I tease him as he lightly pushes my shoulder.

"Shut up, so yeah I wanted to ask your advice I am planning to propose her."

My eyes widened, "That's really great Imran! You could um... yeah bring all her favourite things, her favourite food, bring her to her favourite spot, do what she likes and confidently say you like her and want to marry her, make her feel appreciated."

"Okay that's it?" He asks sounding nervous.

"Yeah that's it, you know better how to do it. Just for this advice you asked for a favour?" I chuckle.

"Yeah yes I did, because Sakina would make fun of me and I wanted to be seen intimidating in front of you girls."

"Okay now how do I propose? Should I just directly? Like hello Haya, will you marry me?" Imran asks.

"No no absolutely not like that, Go down on your one knee, if you want to make her your queen." I advice.

"Okay, like this?" He kneels down and I directed his posture correctly.

"Yes perfect."

"Can I practice with you please?" He requests.

I looked around everyone busy in their own world no one paying attention to us, but I still didn't felt better about it.

"Imran I don't think this is a good idea, I already told you how-"

He cuts me with puppy eyes, "Please, please."

"Imran-"

"Pretty please?" I looked at our table and saw Sakina looking at me and Imran confused and I shook my head in nothing important.

"Okay fine you have only five seconds."

I sighed uncomfortably, my habit of not saying no to people will drown me one day.

"Okay,um." he gets up and plucks out a Rose from the pot near him and kneels down again before screaming to our table, "It's rehearsal nothing serious."

I chuckle as kneels down readying his posture and sets his hair,

"Marry me haya."

I gave him a repulsive glare,

"You have to ask her not tell her Imran."

"Oh okay sorry don't pressurise me." He takes a deep breath and looks at me in mock romeo stare.

"Would you um marry me?" He tries again and I look at him blankly.

"It's Will Imran. Ask will you marry me, you know what I am leaving." I turned around to go but he stopped me flaring his arms out, still on his knees. He is grabbing attention and I am scared.

"Ok sorry sorry I will try again, Come back please."

"Fast." I demand turning towards him impatiently.

"Okay," he takes a deep breath, "Haya, will you marry me?"

I smile, "Now that's more like it, now-"

"Look someone's is proposing." Someone screamed from the small group near a car.

I shook my head telling them to be quiet when Imran tugs my hand, "You think she would say yes?" He asked eagerly.

"Imran they all are assuming tell them-"

The group started hooting and uneasiness filled in me, from the corner of my eye I could see my friends joining me and glaring at that group.

"Please Ayesha, Say otherwise I don't know if I could sleep today without knowing it." Imran pleaded desperately.

Looking around the small forming crowd I let out "Yes yes."

"She say yes." Imran screamed happily and more people started hooting.

"This sounds so wrong." I say to Sakina as she joins the group in mock hooting while flipping them.

My stomach dropped in dread as in a blink of an eye, Murat emerged from past the hooting group and anger morphing his features, and throw a punch on Imran's face knocking him down on the pavement.

"How dare you propose to my sister." He seethed angrily, I gasped looking at the blood from Imran's nose, Dorok and Affan instantly went to him and tried to detach Murat from a scared and confused Imran, I rushed towards them and tried pulling murat's arm.

"Murat, Bhai it was not like it looked like, please leave him." He was still holding Imran's collar in a tight hold.

"What are you all looking at, get lost from here, the fest is there, not here." Sakina directed the crowd from here.

"Please everyone leave." Sania requests softly.

"How dare you take video? Get out you baboon." Safa's voice from heard behind me before a throwing sound was heard.

"Murat please listen-" my hands were clammy and my eyes stung as I felt someone pulling me away from murat with a harsh tug on my arm, I was met by my Baba's cold brown eyes glaring at me.

"Baba." I whispered feeling the colour drain from my face.

My pulse was ringing in my ears and everything momentarily went blank around me as fell to my knees, the faint itching in my knees didn't felt as much as I felt my left side of face numb. Other's voice started to make sense and when the ringing finally stopped I heard Murat.

"Baba." Murat shoot out to his feet leaving Imran and shielding me from him.

"Move, Murat." He pushed him and grabbed my arm bringing me to my feet and instincts and weigh of this situation hung on me.

"Baba please it's not like that- please leave me baba please." I ducked my head down pleading to him, many voices ringing in air, everyone frantic, shouting, I want to tell something but no words reach my mouth.

"I will not listen to you, now only we will talk in front of your mother about your blatant deeds." He says as he opens the car door pushes me to the back seat, my heart started to hammer in my chest, Blatant? Is this what my father thinks of me?

Murat sat on the driving seat and baba sat on the passenger seat, sitting behind them I felt like an outsider, I didn't recognise both of them. What just happened, it wasn't to be like this.

As Murat reversed the car my friends came in my view, all having a frantic expression, and that's when the tears came, crying I looked up at the pink hues of the sky and prayed to my Allah to make everything right for everything wrong which could happen.

*************************************

********************************

A/N :-

Things just got out of hand.

This was sed-

Vote. Comment. Share.💕